FALL RIVER — An East Providence, R.I., man has been indicted on murder and illegal firearm charges stemming from the fatal Jan. 5 shooting of David Rodriguez outside the Ship's Cove apartment building.

William Tate, 34, will be arraigned at a later date in Fall River Superior Court. A Bristol County grand jury indicted Tate this week on one count of murder, carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm.

According to police interviews with multiple witnesses, including relatives of Tate and Rodriguez, the fatal weekend encounter stemmed from Rodriguez, 26, being upset that Tate was trying to start a relationship with his younger sister. Tate had also dated Rodriguez's current girlfriend, and Rodriguez may have believed Tate was also trying to rekindle that relationship, according to witness statements.

Meanwhile, Tate told his relatives that Rodriguez had threatened him. Tate told them that he was in his vehicle, outside the Ship's Cove apartments, when Rodriguez came running out of the building toward him. Tate said he believed he had been set up since Rodriguez's sister had just texted him to say that she would meet him outside, according to court documents.

A few minutes before the fatal shooting, the Ship's Cove's video surveillance system shows Rodriguez arguing with a man, identified as Tate, inside the building's first-floor laundry room. Both men were within inches of each other's faces, and were having a "heated" conversation, according to police reports.

At least five witnesses said they heard two to four gunshots, but none allegedly saw Tate squeeze the trigger. The murder weapon has not been recovered. Tate told a Rhode Island State Police trooper that he threw the gun off the Braga Bridge while he was driving home from Fall River, according to court documents.

Tate, who was arraigned Jan. 7 in Fall River District Court, is being held without bail. Assistant District Attorney Katie Rayburn is prosecuting the case.